Inflation rises to +1.9% in March, the price of the shopping cart is still growing

In March 2025 inflation accelerates but less than expected. According to estimates, the national consumer price index for the entire community (NIC), net of tobacco, marks an increase of 0.3% compared to February and 1.9% on an annual basis.

This is a growing figure compared to 1.6% of February, but slightly lower than 2% indicated in the preliminary estimate.

The increase in energy goods continues

THE energy goods are confirmed among the main engines of inflation, with an increase in the 3,2% on an annual basis. In particular, the non -regulated component marks a marked growth of +1.3%. Several international factors, such as oil oscillations of oil prices, contribute to this dynamic.

The increase in energy prices It has widespread repercussions on the economy: it determines a rise in transport and production costs, and weighs on domestic bills. Italian families are thus faced with major expenses for light, gas and fuels, with a consequent reduction in purchasing power intended for other consumption. To contain the effects of this scenario, the bill bonus was also confirmed for 2025, with the aim of offering concrete support to a wide range of the population.

What goods have grown up in price

The categories of goods and services that are grown more than the average I am:

• Housing, water, electricity and fuels: +6.0%;
• receptive and catering services: +3.3%;
• Alcoholic drinks and tobacco: +3.2%;
• Education: +2.9%;
• Other goods and services: +2.7%;
• Food products and soft drinks: +2.5%;
• health services and health expenses: +1.4%;
• recreation, shows and culture: +1.4%;
• Clothing and footwear: +0.8%;
• Furniture, articles and home services: +0.2%.

Finally, there are also some price drops:

• Transport: -0.9%;
• Communications: -4.8%.

The shopping cart is growing

In the food sector, unrelaited products recorded an increase in 3.3%which significantly affects the family budget. Being essential foods for the daily diet, their increase significantly affects the budget of families.

The so -called “shopping cart“, Which includes foods, products for home and personal hygiene care, has increased by 2.1% compared to March 2024. It is a key indicator, since it reflects the trend of the prices of basic necessities that weigh every day on the pockets of the Italians. Even the products with a high purchasing frequency have shown a contained growth, equal to 1.9%, such as:

• bread;
• milk;
• Hygiene items.

Despite in a context of generalized inflation, the stability of these prices represents a small margin of breath for families, being recurring and difficult to complicate expenses.

The increases in families

Therefore, the surgery base continues, which continues on the basis of last September (it was +0.7%), that is, for 6 months. The risk is that speculations on the holidays and on the April holidays can continue and that the inflamed of prices can continue. Massimiliano Dona, president of the National Consumer Union says:

If inflation equal to +1.9% means, for a couple with two children, an increase in the cost of total living equal to 687 euros on an annual basis, 228 euros more are only go for food products and soft drinks and 249 for the shopping cart, or for obliged expenses. For receptive and catering services, 105 euros more than last year are paid. A real sting.

Below, here is the list of all the spending divisions developed by the UN: